A Rock A Day
Kohatu
The rain keeps falling. The drive here to the river was a bumpy one, dodging rocks that had fallen from cliffs up high… but we got here! A swollen river beckons even though I can’t see it, I know it is there, flowing a strong current… We are at Ruaka marae beside the Wanganui river and despite the rain not letting up, it is very cleansing… Kids playing outside in the rain today, enjoying the gifts of Ranginui, celebrating his love for Papatūānuku our earth mother. How could we not celebrate his aroha for her and the mists...
read moreMountain to Sea
Rain dribbles down a thick glass window – well worn it has had many eyes look out to contemplate with nature – like thin shreds of lace hanging down, some slow some fast, rain crystals, each one unique, shining reflections upon reflections, alive… We are in Ohakune at the moment – and this is my second to last rock for the year – my goodness! Quite overwhelming actually but also very exciting! The day has been rain, calm, rain, calm – all day! It is raining now… nice and...
read moreMarama
I know she will probably freak that I have called a rock after her – but Marama Davidson – rā whānau ki a koe e hoa!! I have no regrets hehe! And it actually illustrates very clearly what I want to talk about today. So thanks Ma for a beautiful name and the inspiration! We had a wonderful afternoon with Mere Marshall, MT and Jay today. Such wonderful rich kōrero about lots of things! It really was a neat meeting with another of my dedicated FB rock followers who has contributed hugely to the project over the year and who I was...
read moreWhat Is Possible?
A reflective time of year marks the beginning of a new… change, connection, relationships, healing – all have been strong themes this year, woven into life’s intricate web… I love the spider web – resilient and beautiful, it is one of nature’s many wonders that always amazes me. How could this be possible? What is possible in the future? A question I’ve been asking myself over these last few days of the year – what is possible? If there was one thing that I would want to bring to fruition this year,...
read moreWhat Does Matter Most?
So we’re back in Rotorua with whānau and we’ve just come from Te Puke after spending the last few days with whānau and what a wonderful time it has been! I’ve said this before recently – there is something about this time, something in the air, so much aroha in the air, everywhere there is change, people are more accommodating and accepting of one another realising more and more, what matters most. And what matters most? The relationships we have – the meaning we give to our lives through our relationships and...
read moreCruising
What a wonderful day today! Chilled out, relaxing and just cruising with good kai (all day!), great company and a great place in the country to be winding down at the end of the year. I’ve so enjoyed this – with minimal connection to the internet and no one really sending me emails wanting anything from me (yet!) it has only been a few days, but a much needed rest has been granted. Actually, it reminds me of a song I used to love listening to when I was young-er… we were chilling in the park, just waiting for the sun to go...
read moreOur Rock
I decided that I would write the story for this rock with my three nieces. And these are the thoughts that came to mind from all of us. It has been a great day – all the family getting together for a yummy hangi! We haven’t seen each other for ages and all the mokos have grown! No one knows anyone’s age or birthdays anymore! Teiarere says the rock looks like a mushroom and then Rexina says she doesn’t like mushrooms and Teiarere says me either! Rexina says, “they remind me of curls and Robyn said, “xmas...
read moreResponse To Touch
I was putting healing cream on my niece’s excema this morning and she just sat there, fluttered her butterfly eyelashes and was enjoying the touch and attention to her skin. Today I picked up my Mum from the resthome and she loved to have kisses on her face, me touching her soft skin with my two hands, she responded with a smile and glow in her eyes. Just beautiful. All it takes is time, attention and love to give a child, touch can be the most special gift one can give to a child. All it takes is time, attention and love to give…...
read moreInto the Daylight
Out of space into the daylight a brand new day, fresh, alive… brightness… I come alive again… Yay! So I’m here with whānau and looking forward to the next few days ahead. It was so lovely to come to Rotorua and to the sun! I love the rain and the coolness but my body was wanting to feel warm, my bones wanting to loosen up with the warmth of sun. Longing for summer! I took a series of photos for this rock and asked my niece Robyn which photo she liked. She says this one and called it – Into the Daylight. I like...
read moreIt All Matters
Every little bit counts. Going back over the year, I am reminded of all the wonderful things that have happened! We remember the big bits because they stand out but there are those little bits that are just as important. In fact they are often the most challenging because the results are not so obvious, or they are hard work and you feel like you’re not getting anywhere. But these little things make all the difference in our lives, challenging us to move forward to the next step, up a level, to take a peak around the corner and...
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